Originally published in The Nano Newswire
Magnetic hyperthermia is one of the methods doctors use to treat
cancer cells and tumors. All cells, including cancer cells, die
when overheated (at approximately 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
Magnetic hyperthermia allows doctors to raise the temperature of
only the cancerous cells, while leaving the rest of the body in
tact. Magnetic nanoparticles are injected into cancer cells, then
the patient is put into a magnetic field which is constantly
reversing direction. The constant change of the magnetic field
excites the magnetic nanoparticles, causing them to heat up,
killing the cancer cells into which they have been injected.
Until now, however, the magnetic nanoparticles had only a weak reaction to the magnetic field, requiring high doses in order to achieve results. Although not lethal, these larger doses affected the immune system, sometimes causing an allergic-type reaction in the patient. These problems have caused a drop off of research in the use of magnetic nanoparticle therapy to treat cancer.
Now, a new nanoparticle developed by scientists may have solved the problem. A research team at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korean has created a new nanoparticle which is more magnetic than those previously used. The new nanoparticle is made up of two different types of magnetic materials, with a layer of one wrapped around a core of the other. The combination reacts more strongly to the magnetic field, releasing ten times the amount of heat of the previously used nanoparticles. This will allow doctors to use a significantly smaller dosage, minimizing side effects for patients, and destroying tumors more efficiently.
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